The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-12-08

the confidence reposed in me
by fair and impartial administration oil
the law governing your proceedings. In
his efforts to promote the prompt and
regular transaction of public business
the presiding officer of body like this is
mostly dependent upon the cooper alton
of gentlemen of the floor, and it is very
great encouragement to one to know from
past experience that he can always
rely upon your active support when
he is right, and on your kind indulgence
even when he is wrong. shall doubtless
have frequent occasion to invoke your in
diligence, but trust you will never have
just cause to complain that it has been
abused. There has scarcely ever been a
time In our history when the continued
prosperity of the country depended 30
largely upon legislation in congress
as now, for the reason that the
dangers, which at this time threaten
the commercial and industrial interests of
the people are the direct results of laws
which congress alone can modify
or repeal. Neither the executive
department of the general gov
ernment nor the local authorities of the
several states can deal effectually with the
|
ever is dene must be done here, and if
nothing is done the responsibility must
rest here. 1t must be evident to every
one who has taken even partial
survey of public affairs that
the time has come when a revision
of our revenue laws and reduction of
taxation are absolutely necessary in order
to prevent large and dangerous accu-
mutation of money in the treasury.
Whether this ought, or ought not to have
been done heretofore, is a question which
it would be useless now to discuss. 1t is
sufficient for US to know that the financial
condition of the government and the pri
vate business of the people alike de-
mand the prompt consideration of
these subjects, and the speedy enact
ment of some substantial measure
for relief. Unfortunately, we are
menaced by dangers from opposite direc
tions, while a policy of non-action must
inevitably result, sooner or later, in seri-
GUS injury to the country. We cannot be
unmindful of the fact that hasty and in
considerate legislation on subjects more
or less affecting a large financial and in
dustrial interest might produce tempo
rarily, at least, disturbance and embar-
rassment, which a more prudent course
would entirely avoid. Investments
made and labor employed in the
numerous and valuable industries
which has grown up under our present
system of taxation ought not to be rudely
disturbed by sudden and radical changes
in the policy to which they have adjusted
themselves, but the just demands of an
IN cd nd oh
ments of the financial situation, cannot
be entirely ignored without seriously
imperiling much greater and more widely
extended interests than any that could
possibly be irjuriously affected by
moderate and reasonable reduction
of duties. No part of our
people are more Immediately or virtually
interested in the continuance of financial
prosperity than those who labor for
wages. Upon them and their families
must always fall the most disastrous con-
sequences of monetary crisis, and they,
too,are always the last to realize the bene-
fit of return to prosperous times. Their
wages are always the frat to fall when a
crisis comes and the last to rise
when it passes away. Our efforts
should be to afford the neces-
sary relief to all, without injury to
the interests of any, and, therefore, that a
course of legislation should be pursued
which will guarantee the laboring people
of the country against the paralyzing eff
fects of general and prolonged financial
depression, and, at the same time, not to
interfere with their steady employment
or deprive them of any part of the lust
pwa 6a nf hair foil 4.
and l believe it can-if our deliberations
are conducted with the wisdom and pat
riotism which the gravity of the
situation demands - this congress
Will have cause to con
gratulate itself on an achievement,
which promises peace and prosperity to
the country, for many years to come.
These remarks may be considered some.
what out of the usual course, and perhaps
not entirely pertinent to the occasion, but
believe you will excuse them, gentlemen,
because they relate to the subjects which, |
as we assemble here to-day, are upper |
most in the minds of all people. On a |
correct solution of the questions which |
these subjects necessarily involve, may
depend not only the we'll being of politi- |
cal parties, but, what is far more impor.
tant, the permanent welfare of the great
est and.most enlightened constituencies in |
the world. Again, thank you, gentlemen,
for conspicuous and honorable place to
which you have assigned me, and without
attem pting to detain you further, we will
proceed to the organization of the
house."
When the applause which greeted this
speech had subsided the speaker entered
upon his duty of administering the oath
of office to the members elect, who. in
groups of dozen at time, appeared at
the bar of the house and qualified.
This duty having been accom- plished,
the speaker stated the nominations for
house officers werein order.
A resolution presenting for election the
democratic caucus nominees was sub
mitted by Mr.. Cox, of New York, while a
similar resolution presented the names of
the republican caucus nominees. which
was offered by Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois.
Mr.. Brumm, of Pennsylvania, put the
new ticket in the field:
For clerk-Robert Schilling, of Wis
consin.
For sergeant-at-arms-E. N. Curry, of
Indiana.
Door keeper. @. Oakley, of North
Carolina.
Postmaster-J. A. Campbell, of Penn
'ylvania.
Chaplain-Rev. W. H. Milburn, of Hi.